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Only Sikhs have emerged victorious in Afghanistan, courtesy Hari Singh Nalwa
Posted by: 13khalsa (IP Logged)
Date: June 22, 2009 03:47AM

Only Sikhs have emerged victorious in Afghanistan, courtesy Hari Singh Nalwa

Punjab Newsline Network
Sunday, 21 June 2009



CHANDIGARH: In the two and a half centuries that Afghanistan has existed as a nation, three super powers --- the US, Russia and Britain have attempted to subdue the Afghans with little or absolutely no success. The Sikhs won the only real victories against them. Hari Singh Nalwas success has remained unmatched.



This was stated by Dr Vanit Nalwa, psychologist-turned-historian based in Delhi and a seventh generation descendant of the Sikh folk hero. Dr Vanit Nalwa delivered the talk Hari Singh Nalwa The Forgotten General here today. The talk organized by Kadam a forum for social justice saw participation from all walks of life.


Delivering the talk, Dr Vanit Nalwa, stated that Hari Singh was called Nalwa after he killed a tiger with a dagger. He joined the army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh as a lad, participated in the battle of Kasur and rose to become the Governor of Kashmir in 1820 and the Viceroy on the Western Front (1822-31). In 1834 Nalwa became the Governor of Peshawar.

Hari Singh Nalwa effectively reversed the entire cource of history of Afghan Sikh relations. Afghans, who had been invading, looting and plundering the territory saw for the first time a reversal when Hari Singh established the Sikh kingdom in their domain. He effectively stopped the invasions forever.



While the Maharaja was busy with preparations for the marriage of his son, Nau Nihal Singh, Hari Singh Nalwa was guarding the North-West Frontier. He had a handful of forces with him when the entire Afghan army attacked them at Jamrud.

Nalwa was fatally wounded in the battle but his death was kept a secret till the arrival of reinforcements. The fear of his presence kept the Afghan army at bay for almost ten days. The delay in sending reinforcements is attributed to a conspiracy in the Court of Lahore about who would succeed an ailing Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

As a distinguished warrior, Nalwa commanded the respect of even his enemies, the Pathans. Ballads were composed in celebration of his bravery.

Nalwa also had a highly developed aesthetic sense. He built gardens in Srinagar and Amritsar. A town, Haripur (near Hazara, now in Pakistan), was planned and built by him. The various temples, gurdwaras and mosques he built bear testimony to his secular outlook.

He had four sons and he did not try to promote any of them at the court of Lahore. When he died, very little money was found in his toshakhana. It is said he gave most of his wealth in charity.

About the speaker: Dr Vanit Nalwa, a Ph.D. in neuropsychology from Delhi University, did post-doctoral research in Oxford University and won a Fulbright scholarship to train at the National Institute of Mental Health in Maryland, US. She is not a historian by training. She taught at a Delhi University college for about a decade and then left the job to practise as a therapist for the corporate sector.

 



Re: Only Sikhs have emerged victorious in Afghanistan, courtesy Hari Singh Nalwa
Posted by: 13khalsa (IP Logged)
Date: June 23, 2009 03:50AM

When you look back at history you always think what if.

Hari Singh Nalwa and Akali Phoola Singh were the two figures in the Lahore Darbar that everyone respected and feared. They were the only ones to stand up on principles and speak out without fear of their positions. Both Jathedaars could have led the Khalsa forces to greater things.

Some say that their deaths were conspired but in reality Guru Jee did not see this as the right time to reward the Khasla. The Lahore Darbar was carrying to many negative karams for their to be a successful Raaj.

 



Re: Only Sikhs have emerged victorious in Afghanistan, courtesy Hari Singh Nalwa
Posted by: Jarnail Singh "Arshi" Gyani (IP Logged)
Date: September 20, 2009 06:35AM

Hari Singh Nalwa's huge stature..introduced the Phrase..Harooa aiyoh...into the language of the Frontier Region. This Phrase was used by mothers to make their children quiet down and go to sleep !! Its STILL commonly used in that area...
Verily the Sikhs like Hari Singh nalwa, Akali Phoola Singh, Sham Singh Atariwala were the THAAMS..pillars of the Khalsa Raaj.

jrnYl isMG igAwnI "ArSI"





 





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